Tonight, I watched A Lot Like Love starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet.
(spoiler coming up)
Towards the end of the movie, Ashton’s character was talking to his brother about his sad status in life: he’s almost 30, unemployed, and living with his parents. His life looks nothing like how he envisioned it would be seven years ago. He has fallen in love with Amanda’s character, but he has promised himself that he wouldn’t pursue a relationship until “all his ducks are lined up”.
Then his brother said (or signed – he’s deaf) something very wise:
“This is your life. Right now. It doesn’t wait for you to get back on your feet.”
How many of us given up on being happy or fulfilled because something that we expect haven’t happened yet, or because our relationship or career or financial status isn’t where we wanted to be? I’ve been guilty of this – I’ve said, I’ll be happy when XYZ happens. But life doesn’t stop until you get all your ducks in a row. And even after you get your ducks in a row, you’re probably eager to get more ducks to add to your row until you achieve (the illusive state of) total duck domination.
…Anyhow, that line in the movie just made me think about what we put off, what we work for, and how we try to find happiness through achievement or acqusition. Like most PF bloggers, I think I take good care of my finances, but it’s equally important to take care of my personal well-being. Because life doesn’t stop while you’re trying to figure out your relationship or career, or pay down debt, or get into school, or save for a house.
On another note, I don’t know why I’ve been seeing so much wisdom in so pop-culture lately. In the past few posts, I’ve written on Britney Spears, Twilight, and now A Lot Like Love.
Now you can all judge me for my choice of music, book, and movies. But I’d appreciate it if you didn’t. 
Besides, it’s just not as fun tying The Scarlet Letter or Mrs. Dalloway to Some Bigger Picture. It’d seem too much like school.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t think any of us end up where we thought we’d be. It doesn’t matter just as long as we are satisfied with where we are! I wish I were in a better spot financially and hadn’t wasted my 20′s getting in debt, but there is nothing I can do about it now. Now is all about being wiser for the experience.
I have a secret (oops, I’m telling it!) love of super cheesy movies and chick lit, and A Lot Like Love is one of my favorites. I, too, have thought about that exact same line many times. It’s hard to strike a balance between living in the moment and planning for the future. If you have no plans, you’ll feel listless, but when plans don’t work out it’s hard to “live in the moment” and not feel disappointed.
Oh life. Sigh.
I would like to be happier where I am now. My wish is to move on the other side of the state but w/ no job prospects it’s going to be awhile.
Haha, I found inspiration this week from watching Fight Club. I love when Brad Pitt says that “our lives are ending, one minute at a time”. When you think of it that way… who has time to get all the ducks lined up…. I don’t want to spend my whole life lining up ducks, only to find out I used all my time doing that and not the other stuff. Ya can’t take money with you once you’re gone……
i’m totally guilty of this. i have a really hard time letting go of who i thought i was going to be by now. it’s just so easy to get stuck in that trap.
btw, total duck domination? hilarious. i almost choked on the apple i was eating.
Thanks for the reminder on living our lives right now…
That makes total sense. it’s like saying “i will start my diet on Monday”…. why wait til Monday when you can start now? Know what I mean?
About that movie, I really liked it and I didn’t think that I would. I may have to rewatch it.
I agree!
I have always said this in many situations. People sometimes wait forever for things because its not the right time, yet when is it the right time?
There should be a preparation involved for major decisions but sometimes you just got to go for it!
Damn it – that was a spoiler!
Frank @ Debt Help